Hello, I’m trying to install the dash pad and I’m having trouble getting the three screws started on top of the pad by the defroster vents, the screws are already shoved into the holes of the dash pad I purchased from WCCC years ago.
The holes are very narrow and it’s hard to even get a phillips screwdriver into the holes, I even tried to remove the screws from the dash pad, and it appears the holes are narrower than the screw heads?? The windshield is already installed?
Use an ice pick or thin awl to align the three holes. Then start one screw, not all the way, and start the other two. Once started, then tighten them up. If you can remove the dash pad, try screwing the screws into the holes to see if they are the right size.
I have removed quite a few of these dash pads. What often will happen is that the head of the screw will end up under the vinyl of the pad. I use a small flat blade screwdriver to work the vinyl back under the head of the screw. Then the screw will come right out of the hole.
I’m having a hard time installing the dash pad, should I try shoving the top of the dash pad in first and start the (3) screws on the top of the dash by the defroster vents then the lower screws one on each end that attach to the lower metal dash?
Very tight fit with the padded molding trim installed on the windshield posts. I cannot get both sides of the upper pad to seat in tight by the windshield. I even removed the molding trim on the windshield posts to see if that what was giving me issues, still could not get pad to fit tight.
It sounds like the pad is hanging up on something. Does the car have factory A/C? If yes you might not be getting the center dash vent ductwork properly in place. Do you have all the wiring harness properly tucked back on the passenger side? Did you have the lower metal dash piece out of the car?
Like the others said get screws out of the pad first. I would visually check the screw nuts to make sure they are in place correctly and not too loose. I ended up using a black plastic recessed washer to keep the screws from penetrating the pad. Get the other screws in before the top screws. Be patient, they will eventually start. It was a pain the first time I did it but now it is pretty easy.